Mayo's need to maintain good form cannot be underestimated now

by Martin Carney, Mayo's foremost GAA columnist

Mayo manager Kevin McStay had every reason to feel buoyant after overcoming Roscommon in round five of the Allianz National Football League after two back-to-back defeats to Kerry and Tyrone.

Over the course of the game, Mayo dealt with whatever Roscommon threw at them, managed matters calmly and emerged winners not alone on the scoreboard, but in other ways as well.

As a likely precursor to a possible championship game next month, it was important to make a statement and remind the visitors what lies in store if and when they meet again.

This they achieved with some style, displaying an ability to out-think, outplay and dominate their opponents in practically every aspect of play.

Furthermore, as a means of restoring confidence after the insipid second-half performance against Tyrone, the display ticked the boxes.

In practically every facet of the game, Mayo, among other things, showed a greater hunger to compete for dirty ball, defended impressively and moved the ball at a pace that invariably left their opponents floundering.

Tactically, the role of using Colm Reape as a sweeper, which allowed an extra defender to attack, worked for the most part.

It had its risks, as was apparent when Enda Smith nearly caught him with a lobbed effort in the first half, but overall I thought the ploy worked. Certainly, Reape’s outfield experience with Knockmore didn’t do him any harm.

Mayo settled into their rhythms very quickly. An early Fergal Boland point following an Aidan O’Shea assist was a prelude to a fine strike from distance by Reape.

Throughout the field Mayo were bouncing off tackles and Roscommon had no answer to this collective energy.

Some wonderful defending by Eoghan McLaughlin, Jordan Flynn and Stephen Coen sent out a message to Roscommon that anything they got on this bitterly cold and wet evening was going to be hard earned.

A deftly stuck point off his right foot from Aidan O’Shea followed by a monster from Stephen Coen left Mayo comfortably seven points to three ahead after 21 minutes.

If there is a criticism, it’s fair to ask how they allowed the next 18 minutes of playing time go by without adding to their total.

The answer has to do with the Roscommon response and, in particular, the top quality point-scoring from distance by Diarmuid Murgagh and Donie Smyth.

Due mainly to their efforts, the Rossies brought the deficit back to a single point at the break, despite Mayo bossing proceedings.

Murtagh’s points were all registered while coming under intense pressure on each occasion from droves of Mayo defenders.

That relentless tackling, covering and pressurising the kicker were aspects of play that shone throughout the evening.

Another aspect worth highlighting was the success Mayo enjoyed by pressurising the Roscommon restarts.

As a consequence, Conor Carroll was forced to ‘go long’ into midfield. There, due to the collective aggression of Donnacha McHugh, Jack Carney and Jordan Flynn, much of their sought-after possession came to nothing.

Absent throughout 2023 and already booked this year for a stint in Australia, many had forgotten about Fergal Boland.

After some eye-catching displays with Aghamore, Kevin McStay saw fit to recall him and, to date, he has added immensely to the team.

Playing with his head up, displaying sound judgement and executing accurate passes have so far been hallmarks of his performances. More than anyone, Ryan O’Donoghue has thrived from his service.

That Boland can further embellish these with points from close range and from distance has added to his worth.

His second score of the game, just after the break, set the tone for a second half that was totally dominated by Mayo.

By the 12th minute, further points from the aforementioned O’Donoghue, McHugh and Enda Hession (following a Boland pass) left Mayo ahead by double figures.

Roscommon were nowhere to be seen. Mayo wreaked havoc, I thought, along their left flank in particular, where their speed of movement amd willingness to constantly show and support one another never flagged.

The disparity in fitness and speed between the teams was never more evident than when Eoghan McLaughlin left opponents flagging in his slip-stream.

His end product – that killer pass – has a way to go but as an athlete, opponents find him hard to deal with him. The great pity is that the injury incurred late in the game (it looked like a hamstring issue) could sideline him for the next month or so.

NOTEWORTHY

Limiting Roscommon to three points in total in the second half was noteworthy, but doing this on the back of a display mixed with energy, intelligence and purpose bodes well.

Mayo are now on six points. While not absolutely certain, it should be enough to guarantee their top flight status next year. As matters stand, Roscommon and Monaghan look doomed to the drop.

The win over Roscommon also checked a two-game losing sequence. This is something that players and management will be happy about.

A win in their next home game with Derry on St. Patrick's Day could see them advance to a league final.

It would also offer management an opportunity to give game time to players in their final outing with Monaghan in Clones.

Injuries are a reality year after year, and in Mayo it’s no different.

The strength and depth of the championship squad will depend on how quickly Diarmuid O’Connor, Patrick Durcan, Padraig O’Hora, Eoghan McLaughlin and David McBrien get back on the pitch.

If fully fit, all are likely starters and, at worst, their presence will increase a healthy in-house rivalry for places.

Championship is less than five weeks away, so finding form and sustaining it is increasingly important.

It’s from now that the guts of the championship team begin to take shape. Everyone sees there is more to come from the experienced trio of Aidan O’Shea, Tommy Conroy and Cillian O’Connor.

At the moment, all are getting less game time than they’d like, but they will do everything to push for permanent inclusion. Form can ebb and flow and they still have time to nail down a place on the starting fifteen.

Relative newcomers like Bob Tuohy, Paul Towey and Conor McStay will equally hope to claim high rankings and push hard for starting berths.

The wheels are turning.

Championship is just weeks away.